
If the replaced engine oil is fully synthetic oil, it can be changed at 10,000 kilometers. Fully synthetic oil can effectively protect the engine for 7,500-10,000 kilometers, but it is best not to exceed six months. Introduction to engine oil: Engine oil, also known as engine lubricating oil, English name: Engine-oil. With a density of about 0.91×10, it can lubricate and reduce friction, assist in cooling, seal and prevent leaks, prevent rust and corrosion, and provide shock absorption for the engine. It is known as the "blood" of the car. Engine oil consists of base oil and additives. Requirements for engine oil: As a type of machinery, the engine has common requirements for lubricating oil similar to general machinery, such as appropriate viscosity, certain anti-oxidation, anti-wear, anti-corrosion, and viscosity-temperature performance requirements.

When I first started driving my Passat, I also struggled with this issue. The manual does state an oil change interval of 10,000 kilometers, but it really depends on your driving conditions. If you're constantly stuck in city traffic, frequently flooring the accelerator from red lights, or often driving on construction sites or dirt roads, I'd recommend changing the oil earlier at around 7,000-8,000 kilometers. Last time I checked the dipstick at over 8,000 kilometers, the oil had already turned black. German cars run at higher engine temperatures and consume oil faster, especially older vehicles that require more frequent changes. Also, never try to save money by using mineral oil - you must use full synthetic oil, specifically 5W-40 grade to handle the EA888 engine properly. When changing oil, remember to have the mechanic replace the oil filter as well - skipping this would make the maintenance practically worthless.

As a Passat owner who frequently drives long distances, I believe changing the oil every 10,000 kilometers is completely fine. My car has run 120,000 kilometers, and I only service it when the dealership reminds me. The key is to choose the right oil certification standard—always opt for fully synthetic oil with VW502/505 certification. However, you need to monitor oil consumption. I always keep a 1L bottle of oil in the trunk and check the dipstick every 2,000 kilometers. If the engine noise gets louder during cold starts in winter or if the dashboard shows a yellow warning light, I change the oil early, even if the mileage hasn’t been reached. Once, after driving through a sandstorm in Xinjiang, I found metal particles stuck in the oil—I changed it immediately in that case.

After a decade in auto repair, I've seen countless Passats, so here's some practical advice. Theoretically, changing oil every 10,000 km is feasible, but three conditions must be met: First, you must use genuine full synthetic oil like Mobil 1; second, only use 95-octane gasoline; and finally, never warm up the engine for more than 30 seconds after a cold start. For vehicles frequently used for short trips where the engine never reaches optimal operating temperature, oil tends to get diluted with gasoline. I once serviced a customer's car that had run 9,000 km - the drained oil was as thin as water with a flash point of just 170°C. I recommend such owners check their oil condition every 5,000 km by rubbing some between fingers - if it feels gritty or smells like gasoline, change it early. Extra caution is needed for vehicles equipped with GPF particulate filters.


